Ministry Pathways
for Laity
Through baptism, we become members of the Body of Christ and enter into a covenant with God to continue in the ministry of the apostles through worship, evangelism, and serving Christ in all persons. God is infinitely creative in expressing God’s mission through individuals’ lives and work, therefore the breadth of ministry available is as wide as God’s imagination.
We are all Christian practitioners of the good news, and our churches are communities of practice where we all attempt to live and learn into the shape of Jesus’s life and teachings together.
We are Living and Learning Communities of faith practice, which we express both inside and outside of the church walls.
I am discerning my role as a Lay Leader…
Derived from the Greek word laos, meaning “a people” or “a nation.” Typically used in the Christian tradition as laos tou Theou, referring to “the people of God.”
“The ministry of a lay person is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church” (BCP, 855).
Please take some time to reflect on these questions below to help you as you continue the discernment process. Reflect carefully on these questions. We recommend writing your responses to them in a journal so you can share your answers with others when you discern with them.
| How am I claiming and living out my Episcopal identity? |
| How is the Episcopal community important in my life? |
| What are some of the practices I’ve found helpful in growing my faith? |
| What or where are the ministries I have said “yes” to in my church? |
| What ways have I found to connect my life in my faith community with engagement in the larger neighborhood and beyond? |
| In what ways have I mentored others in their faith? |
| How do I understand my leadership in my local church? |
You may also recognize yourself or your calling in the examples below, or these may spark your imagination about something unique to you – your gifts, skills, and talents.
Expressions of
Lay Ministry
| Lay Professionals | Licensed Ministry and Lay Micro-Certification | Lay Ministries inside the church | Lay Ministries outside the church |
| – Formation Leaders (children, youth, young adult, adult, senior adult) | – Worship Leader | – Teaching and Training | – Community organizer, activist |
| – Parish or Diocesan Administrator | – Lay Preacher | – Vestry/Bishop’s Committee member or Warden | – Fundraiser |
| – Diocesan Missioner | – Catechist | – Pastoral Care | – Social entrepreneur |
| – Chaplain (hospice, hospital, prison, etc.) | – Evangelist | – Worship Ministries (Altar guild, usher, acolyte, greeter, reader, litanist) | – Civic engagement, Voter registration |
| – Spiritual Director | – Lay Eucharistic Minister | – Missional community leader (may also be professional and/or licensed) | – Non-profit work (paid and volunteer) |
| – Church Planter | – Lay Eucharistic Visitor | – Member of diocesan committee or board (COM, Formation, St. Vincent’s House, Executive Board, etc.) | – Volunteer leader, chaperone for youth events (Happening, Jr. High Retreat, Youth Delegates, VBS) |
| – Musician | – Daily Office Leader | – Utilization of specialized professional and life skills | |
| – Sexton | – Proclamation of the Word |
Formation 